Arab League calls for international inquiry into alleged abuse of Gaza detainees

The Arab League called for an international investigation into alleged torture of Gaza detainees in Israeli custody, Anadolu Agency reported. WAFA said the League’s General Secretariat issued the appeal in Cairo on November 1, focusing on detainees in the Rakafet wing of Ramla Prison.

According to the two agencies, the League alleged that mistreatment had left detainees with burns and other injuries. It described the alleged abuses as crimes against humanity and demanded accountability. WAFA reported that the League condemned what it described as repeated, systematic repression of prisoners from Gaza.

The League sought access without restrictions for the International Committee of the Red Cross and independent monitors to the prison and its Rakafet wing, WAFA said. The requested visits would allow monitors to record detention conditions and help detainees receive medical treatment.

Its demands also included a transparent, independent international inquiry, prosecution of those responsible, the immediate release of ill and injured prisoners, and an end to arbitrary detention, according to WAFA.

WAFA said the General Secretariat alleged breaches of international humanitarian law and protections against torture, citing the 1949 Geneva Conventions and their Additional Protocols. It appealed to the Human Rights Council, the United Nations General Assembly and the wider international community to protect Palestinian prisoners and civilians.

Separately, UN torture expert Alice Jill Edwards urged Israel to change its detention laws and practices after sending Israeli authorities allegations involving torture, sexual violence and other serious mistreatment, according to a UN release.

The release said her investigation counted 52 incidents involving torture or other ill-treatment, plus 33 involving sexual torture or other sexualised abuse. Some people reported several forms of mistreatment. These figures concerned Palestinian detention more broadly, not specifically the allegations at Ramla Prison.

The UN release also cited reports that at least 94 people, including one child, had died in custody since October 2023, with those deaths uninvestigated. It said Israel’s government had not answered Edwards’ communication when the release was issued.

“These allegations demand full, independent and transparent investigation, and accountability where violations are established,” Edwards said.